Orlando Pirates may have lost their MTN8 semi-final second-leg clash against Stellenbosch FC by a goal to nil, but they are still through to the final which leaves boss Jose Riveiro saying the game was not a loss.

Pirates advance to the final, where they will face Mamelodi Sundowns, on the away goals rule. But after three straight losses, they will be hoping that their form has taken an upward turn by the time the big clash comes around on 7 October.

Aside from the loss to Stellenbosch, Pirates also lost to their two games before that by similar 1-0 scorelines – against Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round game and to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premiership.

Reflecting on the run Riveiro said: “It’s three defeats in a row. It’s not frequent but if on Friday we get a result that we need (against Galaxy), we will go through. We lost today but we are in the final and that’s what counts in the end.

“I don’t take it as a defeat even though in the record it’s going to be noted as a defeat.

“We’ll have the chance to go to the group stages (of the Champions League) when we play a good game on Friday. It’s in our hands. We are going to do it here at home.

“Hopefully, we will have 30,000 or 40,000 spectators. We are going to the final. We have the same chances as our opponents on October 7 and still 25 games to play in the league.

“Like I said many times, I’m a very, very optimistic person. I think everything is going to be alright, always,” he said.